The care commission consisting of employers and employees has just decided in Berlin to increase the minimum wages in the care sector. According to this decision, the minimum wage for nursing staff and assistants will be increased. From July 2021, the nursing staff will receive a minimum wage of 15 euros, which will rise to 15.40 euros on April 1, 2022. The minimum wage for nursing assistants will also be increased in four steps. Currently, these workers receive a wage of 11.35 euros in West Germany and 10.85 euros in East Germany. Both wages will then be gradually increased, with the aim of reaching 12.55 euros by 1 April 2022. An East-West adjustment will take place on September 1, 2021, when East and West Germans will receive the same wage of 12 euros. In addition, the so-called qualified nursing assistants who have completed a one-year training course as semi-skilled nursing staff are also taken into account. From the current 12.50 euros in the West and 12.20 euros in the East, the minimum wage will rise to a uniform 13.20 euros. In addition, the statutory holiday entitlement will be extended by entitling nursing staff to six additional days of holiday each for 2021 and 2022. Federal Minister of Labour Hubertus Heil (SPD) was satisfied with the result, as were the church employers. Heil’s ministry will implement the unanimous agreement of the nursing commission by means of a decree. In Berlin, Heil also called for the implementation of a sectoral collective agreement with the goal that care workers receive more money and better working conditions. Despite the broad agreement, there are differences of opinion, including between the nursing care employers‘ association and the Federal Minister of Labor, who is accused of wanting to issue a compulsory collective agreement in order to force members of his union, ver.di.
